Dungeon Life

Chapter One-Hundred Eighty-Three

Rezlar Larrez

The discussion about deities occupies Rezlars thoughts as he returns home, and makes him wonder if he should try to attend some services regularly. Hell need to talk to Larx or maybe even Lady Aranya, to see if theyre willing to talk more, too. He may even try to attend to both faiths, at least to a degree. He doubts hell ever devote himself to anything wholly enough to change how he works his magic, but both the Shield and Thedeim arent quite so intimidating to him anymore.

That will have to come later. He has the rest of the afternoon free, and he would very much like to see if Freddie and Rhonda might like to go delve Hullbreak. The very idea makes him chuckle. If someone suggested that just a few months ago, hed think theyre mad! But now its no more abnormal than any other friendly activity.

When he puts away White Waves, he wonders if he might be able to disguise the horse in some way, too, but has to regretfully abandon that idea. It would just stretch believability, and theres no simple disguise that would hide the health and breeding of the horse. No, hell have to settle for the brief forays, rather than joining Rezlar and his friends on adventurers.

Besides, an ocean is no place for a horse, even if the horse is named for it. It doesnt take long for Rezlar to get changed, and soon Larrez is walking down the street to go meet his friends. He heads to the church first, and is relieved to hear Freddie is simply reading in his room. He always feels a bit bad to interrupt the young paladins training.

Freddie has his door open in an effort to get some of the warmth of the various hearths into his room, as he doesnt have a personal fireplace. Larrez knocks on the frame as he looks in, and sees Freddie relaxing on his bed, with Fiona fussing over his shield.

Hello Freddie, Fiona. I hope Im not interrupting?

Freddie smiles and marks his place as he shakes his head. Nah. Im just reading some old accounts from the archives. I think the priests like to pretend like theyre boring history, but they read like fantastical stories. He smirks over at Fiona as she chitters to herself, refreshing the web on his shield. Fionas trying a new design, but its not coming out quite how she wants. Itll be fine, Fiona. Its not like I actually have any heraldry in the first place!

The large spider gives him a scandalized chitter as she keeps working, and Freddie laughs as he turns his attention back to Larrez. She says thats all the more reason to keep looking for the right one, so itll be ready when I do get heraldry.

Do you get to design your own? asks Larrez, honestly uncertain how that kind of thing works. He knows all about displaying and the meaning behind heraldry, but he doesnt know about making your own.

Freddie just shrugs. Most paladins either take the symbols of the church, or just use their shield as their heraldry. I was actually reading about Vory of the Torn Banner, and his heraldry. He and his fellows would often suffer hardly a scratch in battles, but his banner would always get ruined in some way. A lance would tear a gash in it, arrows would perforate it, stray spells would singe or even melt some of it, and so on. So, before one battle, he took his sword and rent his banner from the center to the bottom. Some say it was out of frustration, some say it was a bit of humor to lighten the mood before the fight. Whatever the reason, no other damage happened to it in that fight. He used that same banner for the rest of his career.

Huh. Larrez looks over at the book, wondering if he can get a copy for himself later. It sounds like an interesting tale. But he didnt come here to get distracted by stories. Do you have the free time to go delve? Rhonda still needs to get the bubble moss? From Hullbreak?

Bubbleweed, I think? tries Freddie. Whatever it is, itll be on her to get the right stuff. And yeah, I should have plenty of time to delve today. Give me a few minutes to get ready, and Ill be right out.

Alright. Do you think I could talk the archivist into letting me borrow some of the histories of the paladins?

Freddie shrugs. Maybe? I dont think theyll want to let the originals out, but theres probably some copies laying around done by the scribe acolytes. They have to practice their writing somehow, right?

It cant hurt to ask, so Larrez does just that as Freddie prepares. As it turns out, they have some copies of shorter histories they could lend, though Larrez holds off for now. He wouldnt want to take a book into the sea right now. If he understands the variety of water potion Rhonda was working on, it will let them all breathe, but wont keep them from getting wet. Itd be pretty rude to immediately ruin someones work like that.

Hes simply perusing the shelves as Freddie approaches, and he can hear Fiona giving the orc an earful, and the orc trying to not interrupt the scribes with the noise. Foina, please keep it quiet, at least until were out of the archives? I know you said its not ready, but I need my shield for this.

Larrez fails to suppress his smile as he sees Fiona fold her forelegs and hmmph at Freddie, but at least shes quiet for the moment. Freddie is looking a little embarrassed, so Larrez simply motions for them to exit, and soon theyre on their way to Rhondas. Fiona fusses over the shield on Freddies back the entire time, while the other two simply chat.

Once at the Emporium, Staiven greets the three warmly. Ah, I was wondering when you two scoundrels would return to whisk my poor apprentice off to danger again! Fiona chitters in response and Staiven nods. I know, my dear. Youre the only responsible one of the lot, and that includes Rhonda and Lucas, he says with a smile, and whacks the hatch to the basement with his staff.

Rhonda! Your friends are here!

A muffled yell comes up, and Staiven quickly answers. Just finish that bunch for now. I can hang them later, and bundle whatevers still loose. I think they want to go get the bubblekelp, he says before turning his attention back to the lads. Unless you two just like to wear your full kit around town for some reason.

They shake their heads and Staiven smiles. Then shell be up shortly. Shes preparing some herbs for drying, and then you two can help her test her new potion.

Larrez and Freddie exchange looks at the mention of testing a new potion, but Rhonda bangs open the hatch before they can make any real movement towards the door.

Freddie! Fiona! Larrez! Good timing! Im pretty sure Ive gotten all the kinks out of the equilibrium potion, so we should be able to get the kelp so Master can make more proper aqua affinity potions! Let me get ready, and Ill explain on the way!

Freddies eyes follow her as she heads up the stairs, and linger for a few moments, before Larrez brings his focus back to the here and now. We could probably get away before shes done, he jokes, and Freddie smirks at his friend.

Only for a while. Fiona would probably help them catch us, too. Fiona nods and gives a no-nonsense clack of her mandibles.

I suppose were doomed, then, sighs the elf with mock defeat, and Freddie smiles at the stairs as he nods.

There are worse fates.

Soon, Rhonda comes back down the stairs, but not in her typical robes. While not exactly indecent, theyre much more form fitting than usual. Freddie just tries not to stare as Larrez looks confused.

Why the different robes? Are those even technically robes?

Rhonda shrugs and heads for the door. Technically, I think? I just know they work a lot better when wet than my normal robe, or even my adventuring robe. I havent had a chance to enchant them with much, but Hullbreak is a lot friendlier now, so it should be fine.

Larrez elbows Freddie to get him into gear, and the orc shakes his head to clear it and focus. When wet?

Rhonda nods and waits for everyone to get outside and walking before she explains. The aqua affinity potions are so great because you can basically take anything with you and itll be fine in the water. The water breathing potions that Thedeim designed only let you breathe. They dont protect from all the water. With winter here now, its especially important to get proper potions to delve Hullbreak, rather than what well be using.

Then why are we using them? asks Larrez. Breathing might be fine, but that water is going to be cold.

Rhonda grins and pulls out an odd blueish-green potion. Thats what the equilibrium potion is for! I designed it with what I know about fire and ice affinities. Basically, it should keep you at a normal temperature, no matter the environment! She pauses for a moment before continuing. Well, I dont think itd work against something like lava, or even boiling water, but it should make ordinarily-dangerous temperatures feel almost pleasant!

Freddie looks impressed. That must have been difficult.

It wasn ok, yeah, it was pretty hard, actually. The first batch was too insulating, like wearing a thick blanket next to a roaring fire. Then I made it too conductive, and even next to a fire felt like I was soaked to the bone and standing in the wind. Ive made a few more batches since then, and this should be just right! Well have to drink a water breathing potion and an equilibrium potion, and then basically just dive in. Make sure you dont have anything you cant get wet.

Larrez takes a few moments to go over his gear in his head. I should be alright. With my affinity, I need to take some water into consideration anyway. Ill probably need to oil everything properly once were done, but that should be it. How about you, Freddie?

Freddie looks much less certain about his gear. I dont know if my armor can stand up to being in water for that long. Even if it can, I dont think I can swim in it anyway.

Lets head by the church, then, and see if they have something leather or even cloth for you to wear, suggests Rhonda, and Freddie nods.

Probably a good idea, yeah. I might grab a short spear or something, too. I dont know how well my axe will work under the water.

Larrez speaks up almost immediately. Swings underwater are difficult. Thrusts are the best.

Then I think well be doubly-reliant on you in the water, Larrez, says Rhonda with a smile. For your affinity and your rapier. Youll probably be the best suited to any actual fighting we might need to do. If Hullbreak is learning from Thedeim, well probably have to overcome at least a few encounters to gather some bubblekelp, especially for the amount I want to get.

How much do you want to get? asks Freddie, looking mildly concerned.

As much as we can carry!

Everyone laughs at the obvious answer, and Freddie speaks up as the church comes into view.

Then Ill also ask if they have any spare packs or maybe baskets. Something we can take under the water without too much trouble.